Matthew 13:54

And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this [man] this wisdom, and [these] mighty works?

And {G2532} when he was come {G2064} into {G1519} his own {G846} country {G3968}, he taught {G1321} them {G846} in {G1722} their {G846} synagogue {G4864}, insomuch that {G5620} they {G846} were astonished {G1605}, and {G2532} said {G3004}, Whence {G4159} hath this man {G5129} this {G3778} wisdom {G4678}, and {G2532} these mighty works {G1411}?

and went to his home town. There he taught them in their synagogue in a way that astounded them, so that they asked, "Where do this man's wisdom and miracles come from?

Coming to His hometown, He taught the people in their synagogue, and they were astonished. “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers?” they asked.

And coming into his own country he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

Commentary

Matthew 13:54 KJV Commentary

Context

This verse marks a significant point in Jesus' ministry: His return to Nazareth, His hometown, after extensive teaching and performing miracles throughout Galilee. He enters the local synagogue, a customary place for public instruction and worship, and begins to teach. The immediate reaction of the Nazarenes is one of profound astonishment, setting the stage for their subsequent skepticism and rejection, as detailed in the verses that follow.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Astonishment at Jesus' Authority and Power: The people of Nazareth, who had known Jesus since childhood, were utterly amazed by His teaching. Their question, "Whence hath this [man] this wisdom, and [these] mighty works?" highlights their recognition of something extraordinary and divine in Him. They acknowledged both His profound insight (wisdom) and His ability to perform supernatural acts (mighty works).
  • The Source of Jesus' Authority: Their question, while expressing wonder, also betrays their confusion and a lack of understanding regarding the true nature of Jesus. They struggled to reconcile His humble upbringing as a carpenter's son with the undeniable power and divine wisdom He displayed. This foreshadows their ultimate inability to accept Him as the Messiah.
  • Familiarity Breeds Skepticism: Although not fully expressed in this verse, the astonishment quickly gives way to offense in Matthew 13:57. Their knowledge of His earthly origins became a stumbling block to faith, illustrating the common human tendency to dismiss profound truth when it comes from an unexpected or familiar source.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "wisdom" is sophia (σοφία), which implies not just intellectual knowledge, but profound insight, understanding, and practical skill, often divinely inspired. The term for "mighty works" is dynameis (δυνάμεις), meaning "powers" or "supernatural abilities," from which we get the English word "dynamite." This emphasizes the extraordinary, powerful nature of the miracles Jesus performed, which were clearly beyond human capability.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a powerful reminder that God often works through humble or unexpected channels. We should be careful not to allow our preconceived notions, personal biases, or familiarity with someone's background to prevent us from recognizing and receiving divine truth or witnessing God's powerful work. True wisdom and power come from God, not from earthly status or recognition. Our focus should be on the message and the power, not solely on the messenger's earthly origins.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 7:15

    And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

  • John 7:16

    Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

  • Matthew 7:28

    And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

  • Mark 6:1

    ¶ And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

  • Mark 6:6

    And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

  • Matthew 4:23

    ¶ And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

  • Luke 4:16

    And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
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